Telangana finally decides to recruit teachers, but associations worried about legal issues ahead

Teacher Associations and experts worry that the question of who is a domicile will affect the process.
Telangana finally decides to recruit teachers, but associations worried about legal issues ahead
Telangana finally decides to recruit teachers, but associations worried about legal issues ahead

In a much-needed relief to teacher aspirants across the state, the Telangana government has finally issued a Government Order (G.O.) for direct recruitment to fill 8,792 vacant teacher posts across 31 districts.

G.O. No 25 says that teacher vacancies will be filled within a year in all government schools in district, zilla parishad and mandal parishad limits.  

Though the order has come after years of protests, Teachers Associations are skeptical that it could get mired in legal complications over domicile issues.

M Ravinder, President of the Telangana Progressive Teachers’ Federation told TNM that if the government makes the posts open only for aspirants belonging to Telangana and not Andhra aspirants, who have become locals legally, it could pose problems. Under Article 371 (D) of the Constitution, reservation in jobs and education to the local candidates in educational institutions in AP and Telangana is given.  

“If Andhra natives, who have been residing in Telangana approach the court, the recruitment process would be delayed,” Ravinder opined.

The recruitments will be done by the Telangana State Public Service Commission (TSPSC), by conducting a Teacher recruitment test (TRT).

Ravinder lamented that many of the aspirants were dissatisfied with the government for not filling up the vacant posts for long. “Unemployment has really dampened the spirits of the youngsters,” he said.

Educational activist N Narayana, said that the G.O was released in haste to save the government’s face. “The Chief Minister on several occasions clearly said that recruitment of teachers would not happen anytime soon. This G.O was released in view of the Supreme Court’s hearing in the case on October 23. The SC has summoned the principal secretary to explain why the recruitments didn’t take place in the state,” he said.

He further observed that the expansion of the erstwhile 10 districts into 31 districts has complicated the recruitments.

“The Government of India hasn’t recognized the newly formed districts yet. So how will the candidates go to their respective districts and apply in their unit of appointment?” he asked.

He also said that the present definition of ‘local’ is complicated. According to the state, any person who pursued education consecutively for four years before 10th standard was a local.

“Before the formation of these 31 districts, many would have studied at places which now must be under a different district. So even if someone resides in some other district now, he would be given a job in his previous district,” Narayana said.

Echoing the same, Telangana State United Teachers’ Federation, General Secretary Ravi said, “Before the recruitment, the government should first ensure that the existing teachers are posted in their preferred local areas.”

The recruitment process has been started after five years. Despite the shortage of teachers, the government didn’t fill the vacant posts. Many teachers had alleged that several schools across the state either had a single teacher or no teachers at all. To overcome the crisis, the government had employed nearly 11,000 Vidya volunteers (temporary teachers) by paying them a nominal amount of Rs 8,000 which has now been hiked to Rs 12,000.

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